Vehicle collision repair process and system

ABSTRACT

A vehicle collision repair system and process is provided. The system and process utilizes interdependent collision repair stages and specifically tooled stations or work spaces. The system and process utilizes a rail system for advancing vehicles having collision damage through the stages of the collision repair process.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/573,995, filed May24, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a vehicle collision damage repairprocess and system. The present invention more particularly relates to avehicle collision repair system and process utilizing the system. Thevehicle collision repair system includes means, such as a rail system toadvance vehicle through the vehicle collision repair process.

The exterior bodies of vehicles are primarily manufactured from steel,other metal alloys, and composite materials. The materials from whichthe exterior bodies of vehicles are manufactured for the most part arenot plastic materials. Thus, when a force is applied to the exteriorbody of a vehicle during a collision, the portion of the exterior bodysubjected to the force does not return to its original shape. To thecontrary, exterior bodies of vehicles are usually permanently deflectedin response to a force applied during the impact of a collision.

Depending on the extent of damage sustained by the vehicle during acollision, the vehicle may be a candidate for collision damage repair.There are about forty thousand vehicle collision repair facilities inthe United States. It is estimated that in the United States, vehicleowners and insurance companies expend about twenty-six billion dollarson an annual basis for vehicle collision repair services.

The vast majority of vehicle collision damage repair service providersfollow the traditional sub-contractor method of providing vehiclecollision damage repair services. That is, once a damaged vehicle isreceived into the repair facility, it is assigned to a singletechnician. Traditionally, this technician will handle the entirevehicle repair process from beginning to end. This often results in anincrease in the time it takes to complete a collision repair job andleads to inconsistencies in the quality of the collision repair job.

Also according to the sub-contractor method, the vehicle collisionrepair facility does not supply the required tools to technicians toenable the technicians to complete the vehicle collision repair. To thecontrary, according to the sub-contractor approach, individualtechnicians are required to provide their own tools. This results in asignificant initial monetary investment by the individual technician.The sub-contractor approach to providing vehicle collision repairservices, therefore, results in difficulties in recruiting, hiring andretaining repair technicians.

Thus, there is a need in the vehicle collision repair industry for avehicle collision repair system and process of collision repair thatincreases the consistency of the repair process, increases the qualityof the repaired vehicle, increases the rate of delivery of the repairedvehicle to the owner, and decreases the overall cost of the collisionrepair process for the vehicle owner and for the collision repairservice provider.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a vehicle collision repair processcomprising introducing at least one vehicle having collision damage intoa repair cell having a plurality of stations, each station of said cellbeing dedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair process, andmeans for advancing said vehicle through said stations; engaging saidvehicle with said means for advancing; and advancing said vehiclethrough said stations.

According to other embodiments, the vehicle collision repair processcomprises introducing at least one vehicle having collision damage intoa repair cell having a plurality of stations, each station of said cellbeing dedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair process, anda rail system for advancing said vehicle through said stations; engagingsaid vehicle with said rail system; and advancing said vehicle throughsaid stations.

According to certain embodiments, each stage of said vehicle collisionrepair process is dedicated to carrying out one or more specific vehiclecollision repair tasks or operations.

The present invention also provides a vehicle collision repair processcomprising receiving at least one vehicle having collision damage into arepair cell having a plurality of stations, each station of said cellbeing dedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair process, andmeans for advancing said vehicle through said stations; defining astatus for said vehicle such that it is suitable for engaging saidvehicle with said means for advancing; confirming that said vehiclemeets said defined status for engaging with said means for advancing;engaging said vehicle with said means for advancing; and advancing saidvehicle through said stations.

According to other embodiments, the process includes performing at leastone vehicle collision repair operation to meet said defined status priorto engaging said vehicle with said means for advancing.

According to other embodiments, the vehicle collision repair processcomprises receiving at least one vehicle having collision damage into arepair cell having a plurality of stations, each station of said cellbeing dedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair process, anda rail system for advancing said vehicle through said stations; defininga status for said vehicle such that it is suitable for engaging saidvehicle with said rail system; confirming that said vehicle meets saiddefined status for engaging with said means for advancing; engaging saidvehicle with said rail system; and advancing said vehicle successivelythrough said stations.

According to other embodiments, the process includes performing at leastone vehicle collision repair operation to meet said defined status priorto engaging said vehicle with said rail system.

The present invention further provides a vehicle collision repair systemcomprising a repair cell having a plurality of stations, each stationdedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair system; and meansfor advancing a vehicle undergoing collision repair through saidstations.

According to other embodiments, each station of the vehicle collisionrepair system is dedicated to carrying out one or more vehicle collisionrepair tasks or operations.

According to other embodiment, the vehicle collision repair systemcomprises a repair cell having a plurality of stations, each stationdedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repair system; and a railsystem to advance a vehicle undergoing collision repair through saidstations.

According to other embodiments, each station of the vehicle collisionrepair system is dedicated to carrying out one or more vehicle collisionrepair tasks or operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the vehicle collision repairsystem.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of the vehicle collisionrepair system.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of further embodiment of the vehicle collisionrepair system.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of further embodiment of the vehicle collisionrepair system.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of further embodiment of the vehicle collisionrepair system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention involves a process and system for the repair ofvehicles having collision damage. In general, the vehicle collisionrepair system includes a cell having a plurality of stations, where eachstation within the cell is dedicated to the performance of a stage ofthe vehicle collision repair process, and means for advancing a vehicleundergoing collision repair successively through the stations. Accordingto certain embodiments, the vehicle collision repair system includes acell having a plurality of stations, where each station within the cellis dedicated to the performance of a stage of the vehicle collisionrepair process, and a rail system to advance a vehicle undergoingcollision repair successively through the stations. Each stage of thevehicle collision repair process is dedicated to the performance of oneor more specific vehicle collision repair tasks or operations. Thevehicle is advanced with the means for advancing, such as along the railsystem, until the collision damage repair process is completed and thevehicle damage has been repaired. It should be noted that the vehiclemay not be advanced to a subsequent station within the repair cell untilthe specific repair stage(s) of that station has been completed and ithas been determined that the vehicle meets all quality requirements forthat specific repair stage(s).

According to the present invention, the vehicle collision repair processincludes accepting a vehicle having collision damage into a repair cellhaving a plurality of stations. Each station of the repair cell isdedicated to a specific stage of the vehicle collision repair process.The vehicle collision damage repair cell also includes a means foradvancing a vehicle undergoing collision repair through the stations,thereby advancing the vehicle through the collision damage repairprocess. A rail system may be used to advance a vehicle undergoingcollision repair through the system. According to certain embodiments,the rail system may be used to advance the vehicles laterally throughstations of the repair along the rail system. According to theseembodiments, the term “laterally” means that the leading edge of thevehicle being advanced throughout the repair cell along the rail systemis a lateral side, rather than the front or read end of the vehicle.

According to certain embodiments, the vehicles undergoing collisionrepair are successively advanced through the stations of the vehiclerepair cell. Nevertheless, it should be noted that all vehiclesundergoing the collision repair process do not need to be advancedthrough each station of the vehicle collision repair cell and,therefore, the process encompasses advancing vehicles through only aportion of the stations of the vehicle collision repair cell.

As described in greater detail below, each station of the vehiclecollision repair system is dedicated to the performance of a specificstage of the vehicle collision repair process. In turn, each stage ofthe vehicle collision repair process is dedicated to the performance ofat least one specific vehicle collision repair operation, step, or task.In order to facilitate completion of a certain vehicle collision repairstep in a given station of the repair cell, each station is specificallytooled with the tools and equipment that are required to complete thespecific vehicle collision repair operation(s), step(s), or task(s) forwhich the specific station of the repair cell is dedicated.

The vehicle repair system and process is described in greater detailwith reference to FIGURES. It should be noted that the FIGURES merelyshow illustrative embodiments of the vehicle collision repair system andprocess, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited bythe illustrative embodiments shown in the FIGURES.

The term “stage” refers to a segment or portion of the vehicle collisiondamage repair process. Each stage of the vehicle collision damage repairprocess is not limited to the performance of a single vehicle collisiondamage repair operation, step, or task. But, rather, each stage of thevehicle collision damage repair process may be dedicated to theperformance of one or more collision repair operation, step, or task.

The term “station” refers to a location within the various cells of thevehicle collision damage repair system that is dedicated to a desiredstage of the vehicle collision damage repair process.

The term “cell” refers to a generally enclosed space or structure. Itshould be understood that each cell is provided with access to othercells of the collision repair system and to the outside environment. Asdescribed herein, one cell of the vehicle collision repair system may beinterconnected to one or more other cells of the vehicle collisionrepair system.

Vehicle Collision Damage Repair System

A first embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system is shown inFIG. 1. According to this embodiment, vehicle repair system 10 includesrepair cell 20. Repair cell 20 includes a plurality of stations 21-37.Each of stations 21-36 is dedicated one specific vehicle collisionrepair stage. According to FIG. 1, repair cell 20 further includes railsystem 40, which is employed to advance a vehicle undergoing collisionrepair successively through said stations 26-34 during the vehiclecollision repair process.

The rail system 40 of repair system 20 generally includes elongated,substantially parallel rail or track members 41, 42. The rail system 40also includes means (not shown) that are movably engaged with the railor track members. Preferably, these means are provided in the form ofmovable skates, which are also adapted to engage the wheels of a vehicleundergoing collision damage repair. In this regard, the skates areadjustable to accommodate the wheel base size of the vehicle beingrepaired. In operation, the vehicle undergoing collision repair isengaged with the rail system via the movable rail skates. Through theuse of rail system 40, the collision damage repair technician has theability to easily advance a vehicle, along rail system 40, to downstreamstages of the repair process.

In an alternative embodiment, the rail system of vehicle collisionrepair system 40 may be driven by a motor. According to this embodiment,the motor driven rail system also includes a power source for drivingthe motor and suitable control to permit the repair technician tocontrol the flow of the vehicle along the rail.

According to another embodiment, the means for advancing the vehiclethrough the stations of the collision repair cell may not include a railsystem. According to this embodiment, the vehicle is engaged withmovable skates and is advanced through the vehicle collision repaircell. Suitable moveable skates that may be used in connection with thevehicle collision repair system and process are rollable skates that arecommercially available from Eastwood Co. under the trade designation GOJAKS.

Repair cell 20 of vehicle collision repair system 10 includes at leastone station that is dedicated to the step of pre-operative repairprocess planning of a vehicle needing collision repair. According to theillustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1, repair cell 20 includesstations 21-23 that are dedicated to the pre-operative repair processplanning step of the process. While FIG. 1 shows repair cell 20 havingthree stations 21-23 being dedicated to pre-operative repair processplanning, it should be understood that repair cell 20 of vehiclecollision repair system 10 may include fewer or more stations that arededicated to the pre-operative repair process planning step of theoverall collision repair process. The pre-operative repair processplanning stage includes carrying out or completion of all processesneeded to be completed before the vehicle is engaged with the railsystem 40.

Still referring to FIG. 1, repair cell 20 of the vehicle collisionrepair system 10 includes at least one station that is a qualityassurance verification stage. That is, the repair cell 20 includesstations that are dedicated to conducting a quality assurance operationof said vehicle being repaired during the vehicle collision repairprocess. As shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, stations 28and 33 are dedicated quality assurance verification stations where aquality assurance step is conducted. While the illustrative embodimentof FIG. 1 shows station 28 and 33 dedicated to quality assuranceverification, it should be understood that repair cell 20 may includefewer or more quality assurance verification stations and that a qualityassurance verification station may be located following any stationwithin repair cell 20. Through the use of strategically located qualityassurance stations, such as stations 28 and 33, the vehicle collisiondamage repair process can be internally or externally monitored withoutpausing, stopping, or otherwise disturbing the ongoing repair process.

Still referring to FIG. 1, stations 26-34 of repair cell 20 of vehiclecollision repair system 10 is tooled for a specific vehicle collisionrepair task. The term “tooled” means that each of stations 26-34 isequipped or is otherwise provided with the necessary or requiredmaterials, parts, tools, equipment, and supplies that are needed tocarry out, complete or otherwise perform the stage of the vehiclecollision repair process, including each specific vehicle collisionrepair operation, step, or task, for which the particular station isdedicated. Thus, all required equipment, materials, parts, tools, andsupplies are strategically and conveniently located at the point of use.This provides a plurality of interdependent, focused work stations.

In addition to being tooled for a specific vehicle collision repairprocess stage, each of the stations 26-34 is staffed with at least onequalified vehicle collision repair professional having a competency forthe specific vehicle collision repair stage and tasks for which a givenstation 26-34 is dedicated.

Repair cell 20 of vehicle collision repair system 10 includes at leastone station that is dedicated to the stage of preparing a vehicleundergoing the collision repair process for a paint application stage.Referring to FIG. 1, stations 29-31 are dedicated to the stage ofpreparing a vehicle being repaired for a painting stage during thevehicle collision repair process. While the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 1 shows stations 29-31 as being dedicated to the step of preparinga vehicle undergoing collision repair for a painting stage, it should beunderstood that repair cell 20 may include fewer or more stations thatare dedicated to the stage of preparing a vehicle for a painting processduring the collision repair process.

Repair cell 20 of vehicle collision repair system 10 may include atleast one station that is dedicated to the stage of painting a vehiclethat is undergoing the collision repair process. Referring to FIG. 1,repair cell 20 includes station 32 that is dedicated to painting aportion of said vehicle being repaired. Situated within station 32 ofrepair cell 20 is a paint spray booth. There is no limitation on thetype of paint spray booth that may be incorporated into station 32 ofrepair cell 20. In fact, any commercially available paint spray booththat is customarily used in the vehicle collision repair facility may beincorporated into station 32 of repair cell 20.

Preferably, the vehicle collision damage repair system 10 utilizes aside loading spray booth. The use of a side loading spray booth isadvantageous, as in the embodiment shown, the vehicles are advancing ina lateral manner along rail system 40 of vehicle collision damage repairsystem 10.

Repair cell 20 of vehicle collision repair system 10 also includes atleast one station that is dedicated to the step of reassembling avehicle undergoing the collision repair process. Referring to FIG. 1,repair cell 20 includes stations 35, 36 that are dedicated to reassemblyof vehicles that are undergoing the collision repair process. Stations35, 36 may or may not be located along rail system 40 of repair cell 20.According to die illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1, stations 35,36 are not situated along rail system 40, but are situated at a locationthat is across from stations 33, 34 along rail system 40. There is nolimitation as to the location of the stations 35, 36 that are dedicatedto reassembly within repair cell 20 of vehicle collision repair system10. Once a vehicle has been painted, it is advanced to stations 35, 36for reassembly.

Repair cell 20 of vehicle collision repair system 10 includes at leastone station that is adapted to have at least one parts carrier situatedtherein. The term “parts carriers” as used herein refers to a mobilemeans for storing damaged and new vehicle parts and for transferringparts that are required for the vehicle collision repair process to aspecific station 26-34 of the repair cell 20. While FIG. 1 shows station37 having a certain number of parts carriers, it should be understoodthat station 37 may include any number of parts carriers, depending onthe number of stations that are present within repair cell 20 of vehiclerepair system 10.

Repair cell 20 of vehicle collision repair system 10 includes at leastone area that is dedicated to the storage of tools and equipment thatare utilized in the vehicle collision repair process. According to FIG.1, areas 38, 39 are dedicated tool areas where tools and equipment arethat are utilized in the vehicle collision repair process are stored.The use of a dedicated tool area avoids the need to have redundant toolsets purchased by individual technicians. In use of the process, theindividual technician retrieves the tools and equipment required forcompleting the vehicle collision repair task(s) or step(s) of a specificstage of the vehicle collision repair process and takes them to thestation located along the rail system that is dedicated to the specificvehicle collision repair process stage.

FIG. 2 shows a second illustrative embodiment of the vehicle collisionrepair system and process. According to the second embodiment, vehiclecollision repair system 10 may comprise a second cell 50. Second cell 50is interconnected with repair cell 20 and is adapted for receivingvehicles having collision damage into the vehicle collision repairsystem 10. Second cell 50 includes at least one station for receivingvehicles having collision damage for repair. As shown in FIG. 2, secondcell 50 includes four stations 51-54 for receiving vehicles havingcollision damage for repair in the vehicle collision repair system 10.

FIG. 3 shows a third illustrative embodiment of the vehicle collisionrepair system 10. According to the third illustrative embodiment,vehicle collision repair system 10 may also comprise a third cell 60.Third cell 60 is interconnected with repair cell 20 and includes atleast one station that is adapted for cleaning and detailing of repairedvehicles. As shown in FIG. 3, third cell 60 includes two stations 61-62that are dedicated to a stage of the vehicle collision repair process,namely, the final cleaning and detailing stage of the collision damagerepair process.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth illustrative embodiment of the vehicle collisionrepair system 10. According to the fourth illustrative embodiment,vehicle collision repair system 10 may further comprise a fourth cell70. As shown in FIG. 4, fourth cell 70 is interconnected with at leastone of (i) the repair cell 20 and (ii) the third cell 60. That is,fourth cell 70 may be interconnected with repair cell 20 for embodimentsthat do not include additional third cell 60 for receipt of vehicleshaving collision damage. According to another embodiment, fourth cell 70may be interconnected with repair cell 20 and third cell 60. As shown inFIG. 4, fourth cell 70 may include any one the of the followingsub-cells, namely, public restrooms, employee restrooms, employee breakrooms, meeting rooms, customer service area, and customer waiting area.

FIG. 5 shows another illustrative embodiment of the vehicle collisionrepair system of the present invention. According to FIG. 5, the vehiclecollision repair system may comprise repair cell 80. Repair cell 80includes two independent repair cells 81,82. Each of repair cells 81,82include a plurality of stations that are dedicated to the performance ofa particular stage of the vehicle collision repair process of thepresent invention. Again, each station of repair cells 81,82 arededicated to the performance of one or more specific vehicle collisionrepair tasks or operations.

The Vehicle Collision Damage Repair Process

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the vehicle collision repair system 10that includes second cell 50. Second cell 50 includes stations foraccepting vehicles having collision damage. According to thisembodiment, a vehicle that has been damaged by a collision is deliveredto the vehicle collision repair system 10. In second cell 50, thevehicle is received by personnel. It should be understood that theinclusion of second cell 50 is merely an alternative illustrativeembodiment and that second cell 50 does not need to be include invehicle collision repair facility 10. In fact, a damaged vehicle may bedelivered directly into repair cell 20 of vehicle collision repairsystem 10.

Assuming a damaged vehicle has been delivered to second cell 50 ofvehicle collision repair system 10, after the damaged vehicle has beenreceived into second cell 50 it is then transferred to repair cell 20 ofthe vehicle collision repair system 10 for further processing inaccordance with the system and process of the present invention.

Further stages of the vehicle repair process of the present inventionwill now be described in greater detail with reference to theillustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Again, it should be noted thatthe FIG. 1 merely shows an illustrative embodiment of the vehiclecollision repair process.

According to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle having collisiondamage is introduced into repair cell 20 of vehicle repair system 10 forrepair. As described above, the vehicle may be introduced into repaircell 10 from the optional second cell 50 or directly into repair cell 20from the outside environment. Repair cell 20 of vehicle collision repairsystem 10 includes at least one station that is dedicated to the stageof pre-operative repair process planning of a vehicle needing collisionrepair. A vehicle requiring collision damage repair is transferred tostations 21-23, in order to carry out the pre-operative repair processplanning stage of the overall vehicle collision repair process. Whilesituated in stations 21-23 of repair cell 20, trained personnel identifythe collision damage to the vehicle that requires repair. Also while thedamaged vehicle is situated in stations 21-23, a disassembly of thedamaged vehicle is conducted and parts that are needed to complete thecollision repair process are identified. By virtue of the disassembly ofthe damaged vehicle the size of the vehicle that must travel throughrepair cell 20 along rail system 40 is reduced. In turn, this reducesthe overall space required by repair cell 20 of the vehicle collisionrepair system 10.

The inventive process includes defining a status for a damaged vehicleundergoing collision repair such that it is suitable for engaging thevehicle with the rail system 40 of the repair system 10. During thepre-operative planning stage, in stations 21-23, certain collisiondamage repair operations, steps, or tasks are performed in order thatthe vehicle meets the defined status for engaging it with the railsystem 40. Depending on the condition of the damaged vehicle, a singleor multiple collision repair tasks may need to be completed in orderthat the vehicle will meet the defined status for engaging it with therail system. It should be noted that, in certain circumstance, a damagedvehicle may be received into the repair cell 20 of the vehicle collisiondamage repair system 10 in a state that it is suitable to be engagedwith the rail system 40 of repair system 10 without the need forperforming any prior collision repair operation or manipulating thevehicle in any manner.

The disassembled parts from the damaged vehicle are then transferred toa mobile parts cart that is situated in station 37 of repair cell 20.The parts that have been identified as being required for completion ofthe overall vehicle collision repair process are ordered from anappropriate manufacturer or supplier. The mobile parts carriers, havingthe disassembled parts thereon, are then transferred to stations thatare dedicated to a specific collision repair task. Once the replacementparts are received, the replacement parts are transferred to thespecific station and specific parts cart situated in the specificstation. Here, the replacement parts are exchanged for the disassembledand damaged parts on the parts cart. The use of mobile parts carriersthat are dedicated to a specific collision repair task facilitates quickidentification and exchange of parts and process flow along the railsystem 40 of repair cell 20.

Once the damaged vehicle has been assessed and disassembled, thedisassembled vehicle may be engaged with the rail system 40 of repaircell 20. Referring to FIG. 1, stations 26-34 or repair cell 20 ofvehicle collision repair system 10 are tooled for specific vehiclecollision repair tasks. As described herein, each of stations 21-36 isdedicated to the completion of one specific vehicle collision repairtask. The damaged vehicle is successively advanced through said stations26-36 of repair cell 20 for the purposes of carrying out all requiredvehicle collision repair tasks. While the damaged vehicle is situatedwithin a given station, the process of carrying out the specific vehiclecollision repair task or tasks for which the given station is dedicatedis carried out by a technician. The technician assigned to a stationwill have specific training and technical competency for the specificvehicle collision repair task or tasks for which that station isdedicated. As each of stations 26-34 of repair cell 20 is tooled or isotherwise provided with all necessary or required tools, equipment, andsupplies to carry out or complete the specific vehicle collision repairtask for which the specific station is dedicated, there is no need forthe technicians to supply their own tools in order to carry out aparticular stage of the vehicle collision repair process at a particularstation of repair cell 20. As the technician has training on thespecific tasks assigned to a particular station, a resulting increase inthe speed in which the task is completed and the quality and consistencyof the completed repair task is achieved by the process.

Still referring to FIG. 1, repair cell 20 of the vehicle collisionrepair system 10 includes at least one station that is a qualityassurance verification stage. After a vehicle being repaired by thepresent process has advanced from pre-operative process planningstations 21-23 and through repair stations 26, 27, the vehicle advancesto quality assurance verification station 28. Station 28 is dedicated toconducting a quality assurance assessment of the collision repair tasksthat have been carried out in repair stations 24-27. According to theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, the vehicle being repaired cannotadvance through station 28 to station 29 until it is assured that thespecific collision repair tasks carried out in repair stations 24-27 areproperly completed. While the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 showsstation 28 in a particular location within repair cell 20, it should beunderstood that, depending on the specific system and process, theposition of station 28 within repair cell 20 may be situateddifferently. That is, station 28 may be situated after any of stations24-27.

Assuming that the vehicle undergoing the inventive collision damagerepair process passes through quality assurance station 28, it isadvanced along rail system 40 to station 29-31. Stations 29-31 arededicated to the step of preparing a vehicle being repaired for apainting stage during the vehicle collision repair process. While thevehicle is advanced through stations 29-31 along rail system 40, thevehicle being repaired is prepared for a painting stage. In theembodiment shown, while situated in station 29, the vehicle is subjectedto a mobile extraction unit which extracts particulate matter from thesurfaces of the vehicle to be painted and from the local environmentwithin station 28. This step is carried out by a technician that has atechnical competency with using mobile extraction units. While theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 shows stations 29-31 as beingdedicated to the step of preparing a vehicle undergoing collision repairfor a painting step, it should be understood that the repair cell 20 mayinclude fewer or more stations that are dedicated to step of preparing avehicle for a painting process during collision repair.

Once the steps for preparing the vehicle for painting have beencompleted, the vehicle is advanced to station 32 along rail system 40.Still referring to FIG. 1, repair cell 20 includes station 32 that isdedicated to the painting stage of the process whereby a portion of saidvehicle being repaired is painted. Situated within station 32 of repaircell 20 is a paint spray booth. There is no limitation on the type ofpaint spray booth that may be incorporated into station 32 of repaircell 20. In fact, any commercially available paint spray booth that iscustomarily used in the vehicle collision repair facility may beincorporated into station 32 of repair cell 20. While the vehicle issituated in the paint spray booth located at station 32, the paint isapplied to a portion of the vehicle requiring a coating of paint bymeans of a paint spray apparatus.

After the application of paint to the required portions of the vehicleis completed, the vehicle emerges from the paint spray booth located atstation 32 and is advanced along rail system 40 to station 33. Station33 is a further quality assurance station. While the vehicle is presentin station 33, personnel conduct a quality assurance step to ensure thatthe paint application step of the vehicle repair process has beenproperly completed.

Once it has been determined in station 33 that the paint applicationstep has been properly carried out, then the vehicle is advanced to astation that is dedicated to the stage of reassembling a vehicleundergoing the collision repair process. Referring to FIG. 1, repaircell 20 includes two stations 35, 36 that are dedicated to reassembly ofvehicles that are undergoing the collision repair process. According tothe illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1, stations 35, 36 are notsituated along rail system 40, but are situated at a location that isacross from stations 33,34 along rail system 40. After the vehicle isadvanced to the reassembly stations 35, 36, the vehicles are reassembledwith all repaired and replacement parts. Stations 35, 36 are properlyequipped will all of the tools necessary to reassemble the repairedvehicle.

FIG. 3 shows a third illustrative embodiment of the vehicle collisionrepair system 10. According to this embodiment, vehicle collision repairsystem 10 may comprise a third cell 60. Third cell 60 is interconnectedwith repair cell 20 and includes at least one station that is adaptedfor cleaning and detailing of repaired vehicles. As shown in FIG. 3,third cell 60 includes stations 61-62 that are dedicated to finalcleaning and detailing of repaired vehicles. After the vehicle has beenreassembled in stations 35, 36 (as shown in FIG. 1), the vehicle istransferred to third cell 60 for final cleaning and detailing.

Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system andprocess, the vehicle undergoing collision repair “flows” throughsuccessive stations within the repair system along the a rail system,thereby eliminating the customary multiple vehicle engine start-upsrequired in a traditional vehicle repair facility.

Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system andprocess, the vehicle undergoing collision repair “flows” throughsuccessive stations within the repair system along the a rail system,thereby facilitating the transfer of the vehicle to and from personnelhaving specific repair step expertise.

Through the use of a completely tooled and equipped vehicle collisionrepair system and process, the redundant and inconsistent employee tooland equipment supply is avoided. The use of a tooled environment alsoavoids individual employee tooling investment.

Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system andmethod, the quality of the collision repair is improved.

Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system andmethod, the predictability of delivery of the repair vehicle isimproved.

Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system andmethod, the consistency of the collision repair is improved.

Through the use of the disclosed vehicle collision repair system andmethod, the total overall cost of the vehicle collision repair processis reduced for the vehicle owner and for the collision repair serviceprovider.

The present invention is not limited to the specific embodimentsdescribed above, but includes variations, modifications, and equivalentembodiments defined by the following claims. The embodiments describedabove are not necessarily in the alternative, as various embodiments maybe combined to provide the desired characteristics.

1. A vehicle collision repair process comprising: introducing at leastone vehicle having collision damage into a repair cell having aplurality of stations, each station of said cell being dedicated to astage of said vehicle collision repair process, and means for advancingsaid vehicle through said stations: engaging said vehicle with saidmeans for advancing; and advancing said vehicle through at least one ofsaid stations.
 2. The vehicle collision repair process of claim 1,wherein said means for advancing said vehicle comprises a rail system.3. The vehicle collision repair process of claim 1, wherein said meansfor advancing said vehicle comprises a plurality of rollable skatesadapted to be engaged with said vehicle.
 4. The vehicle collision repairprocess of claim 2, further comprising assessing the collision damagerepair required to be performed on said vehicle before engaging saidvehicle with said rail system.
 5. The vehicle collision repair processof claim 4, further comprising disassembling damaged parts on saidvehicle before engaging said vehicle with said rail system.
 6. Thevehicle collision repair process of claim 1, wherein said cell comprisesat least one of station that is dedicated to carrying out one vehiclecollision repair activity selected from the group consisting ofconducting a quality assurance assessment of said vehicle beingrepaired, preparing a vehicle being repaired for a painting stage, andpainting a vehicle.
 7. The vehicle collision repair process of claim 1,wherein each of said stations is tooled for a stage of the vehiclecollision repair process.
 8. The vehicle collision repair process ofclaim 1, wherein each of said stations is staffed with personnel havinga competency for at lease one specific vehicle collision repair task. 9.The vehicle collision repair process of claim 1, wherein said repaircell comprises a station adapted for placement of parts carriers. 10.The vehicle collision repair process of claim 1, further comprising adedicated tool area.
 11. The vehicle collision repair process of claim1, further comprising at least one of (i) a second cell that isinterconnected with said repair cell, wherein said second cell isadapted for receiving vehicles having collision damage, (ii) a thirdcell that is interconnected with said repair cell, wherein said thirdcell includes at least one station dedicated to cleaning and detailingof repaired vehicles and (ii) a fourth cell that is interconnected withat least one of (i) said repair cell and (ii) said second cell.
 12. Thevehicle collision repair process of claim 11, wherein said fourth cellincludes at least one of the following (i) public restrooms, (ii)employee restrooms, (iii) employee break rooms, (iv) employee meetingrooms, and (v) customer service areas.
 13. A vehicle collision repairprocess comprising: receiving at least one vehicle having collisiondamage into a repair cell having a plurality of stations, each stationof said cell being dedicated to a stage of said vehicle collision repairprocess and means for advancing said vehicle through said stations;defining a status for said vehicle such that it is suitable for engagingsaid vehicle with said means for advancing; confirming that said vehiclemeets said defined status for engaging with said means for advancing;engaging a vehicle meeting said defined status with said means foradvancing; and advancing said vehicle through al least one of saidstations.
 14. The vehicle collision repair process of claim 13, whereinsaid means for advancing said vehicle comprises a rail system.
 15. Thevehicle collision repair process of claim 13, wherein said means foradvancing said vehicle comprises a plurality of rollable skates adaptedto be engaged with said vehicle.
 16. The vehicle collision repairprocess of claim 14, performing a single or multiple collision repairoperations in order that said vehicle meets said defined status;
 17. Thevehicle collision repair process of claim 16, wherein said performing asingle or multiple collision repair operations comprises assessing thecollision damage repair required to be performed on said vehicle beforeengaging said vehicle with said rail system.
 18. The vehicle collisionrepair process of claim 17, further comprising disassembling damagedparts on said vehicle before engaging said vehicle with said railsystem.
 19. The vehicle collision repair process of claim 14, whereinsaid cell comprises at least one of station that is dedicated tocarrying out one selected from the group consisting of conducting aquality assurance assessment of said vehicle being repaired, preparing avehicle being repaired for a painting stage, and painting a vehicle. 20.The vehicle collision repair process of claim 13, further comprising atleast one of (i) a second cell that is interconnected with said repaircell, wherein said second cell is adapted for receiving vehicles havingcollision damage, (ii) a third cell that is interconnected with saidrepair cell, wherein said third cell includes at least one stationdedicated to cleaning and detailing of repaired vehicles and (ii) afourth cell that is interconnected with at least one of (i) said repaircell and (ii) said second cell.
 21. The vehicle collision repair processof claim 20, wherein said fourth cell includes at least one of thefollowing (i) public restrooms, (ii) employee restrooms, (iii) employeebreak rooms, (iv) employee meeting rooms, and (v) customer serviceareas.